Louisiana (New France)

Quick Facts: Who was Louisiana (New France)?

Subject:

Louisiana (New France)

Known for:

Vast French colonial district encompassing the Mississippi River basin, claimed from 1682.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Louisiana, also known as French Louisiana, was a district of New France. In 1682, the French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle erected a cross near the mouth of the Mississippi River and claimed the whole of the drainage basin of the Mississippi River in the name of King Louis XIV, naming it "Louisiana". This land area stretched from near the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Appalachian Mountains to the Rocky Mountains. The area was under French control from 1682 to 1762 and in part from 1801 to 1803. Louisiana included two regions, now known as Upper Louisiana (la Haute-Louisiane), which began north of the Arkansas River, and Lower Louisiana (la Basse-Louisiane).

Career & Major Achievements

The current U.S. state of Louisiana is named for the historical region, although it comprises only a small portion of the vast lands once claimed by French Louisiana. French exploration of the area began during the reign of Louis XIV, but the vast territory was not widely settled, due to a lack of human and financial resources. As a result of its defeat in the Seven Years' War, France was forced to cede the east part of the territory in 1763 to the victorious British, and the west part to Spain as compensation for Spain losing Florida. In the 1770s, France decided to aid revolution in Britain's North American colonies, east of the Mississippi, that became the United States. France regained the western half of the territory in the secret Third Treaty of San Ildefonso of 1800.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Napoleon Bonaparte made plans to further develop France's control. However, strained by operations in the Caribbean and Europe, he decided to sell the colony to the United States in 1803, ending France's presence in mainland North America. Remnants of France's long tenure are still found, especially in New Orleans and along the Mississippi and its tributaries. The United States ceded the part north of the 49th parallel to the United Kingdom in the Treaty of 1818. It is part of present-day Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1682: 1682 Milestone — In 1682, the French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle erected a cross near the mouth of the Mississippi River and claimed the whole of the drainage basin of the Mississippi River in the name of King Louis XIV, naming it "Louisiana".
2. 1763: 1763 Milestone — As a result of its defeat in the Seven Years' War, France was forced to cede the east part of the territory in 1763 to the victorious British, and the west part to Spain as compensation for Spain losing Florida.
3. 1800: 1800 Milestone — France regained the western half of the territory in the secret Third Treaty of San Ildefonso of 1800.
4. 1803: 1803 Milestone — However, strained by operations in the Caribbean and Europe, he decided to sell the colony to the United States in 1803, ending France's presence in mainland North America.
5. 1818: 1818 Milestone — The United States ceded the part north of the 49th parallel to the United Kingdom in the Treaty of 1818.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Louisiana (New France)

True or False: “Did France maintain continuous control over all of the territory claimed as Louisiana until its sale to the United States in 1803?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): France ceded parts of the territory to Britain in 1763 and to Spain as compensation for losing Florida.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• 5th Dalai Lama — Historical peer (Died in 1682) (1682): Spiritual and political leader of Tibet, unifying the region under the Ganden Phodrang.
• Bartholomew Roberts — Historical peer (Born in 1682) (1682): Most successful pirate of the Golden Age, known for capturing over 400 prize ships.
• André Chénier — Historical peer (Born in 1762) (1762): Emotive French poet, precursor to Romanticism, tragically linked to the French Revolution.
• Elizabeth of Russia — Historical peer (Died in 1762) (1762): Empress of Russia, known for her construction and opposition to Prussia.
• Antoine de Rivarol — Historical peer (Died in 1801) (1801): French royalist writer and translator active during the tumultuous Revolutionary era.
• Benedict Arnold — Historical peer (Died in 1801) (1801): American-born British officer known for service in the Revolutionary War and subsequent treason.
• Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al Saud — Historical peer (Died in 1803) (1803): Second ruler of the Emirate of Diriyah and founder of the First Saudi State.
• Albrecht von Roon — Historical peer (Born in 1803) (1803): Prussian general and statesman instrumental in German unification under Prussian leadership.
• Abbé Prévost — Historical peer (Died in 1763) (1763): French novelist, best known for the highly popular romance, Manon Lescaut.
• Adalbert Gyrowetz — Historical peer (Born in 1763) (1763): Czech-Austrian composer known for symphonies and string quartets.

Frequently Asked Questions about Louisiana (New France)